What is a Care Manager?

Care managers can fill an ongoing health role, and they can also be hired to assist in times of crisis should you require a full time point of contact to coordinate and monitor your care needs. They also can serve as an advocate for patients and families to identify and develop an individualized careplan to navigate the aging process or change in medical/physical condition.

Why use a Care Manager?

Many caregivers are thrust into the role as a result of different/varying circumstances. It is important to have someone assisting you with starting this process.  Voorlas reports “Around 80 percent of her clients are adult children who live out of state or are working,” which makes it challenging to keep up with all the care needs of their loved one and end up with burnout because they are trying to do it alone.

Will my Insurance cover some of the care manager’s services and/or services recommended?

Private care management is not covered by Medicare or Medicaid plans nor by most private insurance (including long-term care insurance) but it can result in an overall cost savings to the care recipient and their family. Important factors to consider when viewing the cost of a Care Manager.

• It allows the family members to mitigate lost earnings due to the care manager assuming the task with phone call, and provider coordination, which takes up a lot of their time.
• The Care Manager will ensure positive outcomes and oversight of their care, which will reduce hospital readmissions and other health issues that can result in greater cost for the family.
• Decrease the need for frequent emergency travel of out of state family members knowing a trusted advocate is caring for their loved one.

Extended Resources and Services indicated/Recommended  on customized care plan may qualify for submission or be covered by insurance. Service providers will submit separate billing to insurance for authorization.

Are there virtual or in person options for visits?

Rs2Share provides virtual and in person visits and consultations.

What differentiates a care manager from a caregiver?

A Care Manager has been described as having “boots on the ground” or “concierge” for the family in need; coordinating care with providers or establishing viable options to care for loved ones. Private care managers can serve to advocate and protect the interest of their clients.

While the Caregiver is more involved with the client’s day-to-day activities, the Care Manager sets up these duties and oversees the administration and outcome of the care